A Letter on Lessons, Gratitude, and Hope for the IBD Community

Dear Community,

Four years ago, I joined this IBD community and felt like I had finally found my voice. Doing my part to advocate and tear down the stigma surrounding Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, I discovered a new purpose and felt strength in helping others. It’s been an honor to relate and connect with so many brave folks who, too, deal with the daily challenges of IBD.

Finding my voice

I have read countless stories and comments from individuals all over the world who face their struggles with such resilience and determination. While my role in this community will now be limited due to forces beyond my control, my passion for raising awareness, for supporting those with IBD, and for empowering others will remain firm and mighty. In this letter, I’d like to share the lessons I’ve learned, express my gratitude for this community, and offer words of hope for moving forward.

What this IBD community taught me about resilience

First, this IBD forum has presented many valuable insights—not only for me but also for others. I’ve learned that the power of community helps to break down stigmas, provides comfort, and provides a public space that reminds us we are not alone. As we all know, life with a chronic disease is often unpredictable and flare-riddled. I have found great strength by reaching out and hearing from others who experience the same struggles, and this has served as an ever-present source of inspiration.

Three pillars of strength: advocacy, self-care, and connection

To be sure, the most valuable lessons I’ve learned while writing and moderating are that your voice matters, self-care doesn’t mean you’re selfish, and community is invaluable. Please know that your voice carries weight when advocating for better healthcare or when educating others about your disease. I can’t stress enough that your experience also offers the power to heal and help. So, keep talking and sharing. In addition, don’t ever forget to prioritize rest, nutrition, and mental well-being. You’re not being selfish; you’re being smart. And keep surrounding yourself with people who understand and support your struggles—having a community matters.

A shared journey: Why your story matters

Next, I’m deeply grateful for every conversation I’ve had, for every story I’ve written and read, and for every moment of connection inside this IBD forum. The courage and vulnerability I’ve seen here has been an invaluable gift to me. It has provided me strength on days I wasn’t sure I could make it out the door. But reading someone else’s experience gave me the necessary push I needed. When I had to change my clothes multiple times because I didn't make it to the bathroom fast enough, I knew I wasn’t alone. Or, as I grabbed a roll of toilet paper on my way out the door and did breathing exercises, I understood others were doing the same during their commute. Whether changing medications or changing doctors, I know we all navigate this journey together. So, thank you for showing me this resilience in action.

Moving forward, I’m not sure what the new changes at IBD will look like. But I encourage you to keep striving. Please continue researching and seeking more information. Medical advancements occur rapidly, and I suggest you keep looking for progress. In addition, don’t stop advocating for your needs, and please continue supporting others. We are all stronger than we realize.

Moving forward: My pledge to the IBD family

While I don’t know for certain about my next steps here, I promise you I will remain committed to our IBD cause. Even though I’ve battled colitis for over 40 years, I only found my voice four years ago when I joined this community. So, today I pledge that I will not fall silent. I will continue to support, advocate, and educate others about living with Crohn’s and colitis. I ask everyone reading this to do the same. As I wrote in my first story, I stressed the value of holding on to hope and tapping into strength. So, please keep fighting, keep sharing, and above all, keep believing in the IBD family of us. Together we are stronger.

With much appreciation and hope,
Traci